Sydwayz

Can someone shed some like on the mechanics of the power mirror for me (and the forum) please?

Reference:
I usually tuck my 2000 C5 over tight (backed in) to the side of the garage, and put the cover on it. Then I have a thick blanket that goes over most of the driver's side of the car to avoid any potential door dings, coat zipper, or parcel impacts that may arise from my GF's driver side of her car that pulls in the garage. I normally fold the driver's side mirror when I do this, just to make the path between the cars a bit wider.

My question: Am I going to wear out the power mirror controls over time doing this? Is it a wire harness that feeds into the mirror through the hinge? Are the wires well protected and stiff, or are they kind of flimsy?

If I am am going to run the risk of damaging the power mirror controls by folding the mirror in, I'd rather avoid that risk by just leaving it in normal position, with the cover and blanket over it.

Thanks in advance!

El original

I would not be worried about wearing out wiring as the movement is minimal and they are protected but I would be concerned about the nut and spring assembly that mounts your mirror to the door wearing out and the mirror will just flop around. I believe they are not very robust and in a short time can/will fail. Anyone have experience with this?

Sydwayz

I should quantify, it only comes out 1-2 times a month.

Vetteman Jack

I would advise against repeated folding of the outside mirrors. The C5 exterior mirrors are designed to turn as a unit, toward and away from the car. The design that GM developed included a soft metal mount, a heavy spring and a clip. Over time, the heavy spring forces the clip to lose its grip on the soft metal, resulting in droopy mirrors that swing freely.

They can be fixed, but why make the fix necessary any sooner than you have to.

JR-01

I would not do it either.

Mistrezz 06

I have to do the same in my garage, the misses don't have good depth perception, so sometimes she parks close to the vert and others a mile away. So far I haven't have any issues, although, I know about the spring getting weak over time.

I guess if you start felling that the tension weakens is time to stop...

Sydwayz

I actually have a foam pillow mounted to the banister/landing which her Infiniti pulls into. She inches in and actually lets the car stop itself on the pillow. We've done the same for her last several cars, including her Firebird (before I flipped & totaled it). Perhaps if you gave her an aiming point and/or the pillow for her to center the car on; that might help.

retiredsfsgm

Not a matter of IF, but WHEN. Here's the name, address and phone number of a guy that fixes them using a grade 5 bolt set up. Had one of mine go bad, so I removed both of them and sent to him. Turn around was a few short days. No problems since. Cost was $70.00 per mirror, plus $25.00 for S&H.

Ed Swaneck
1337 Meadowood Circle
Poland, Ohio 44514

1-330-727-3188

Not certain Ed is still doing the repair, but worth a call.

LT1driver

not car question but what does sfsgm?

Choreo

As others have mentioned, your wiring and controls are probably safe, but the "mechanical" attachment of the mirror will eventually wear out. The only time I fold my mirrors is once or twice a year when I detail my door panels with a Random Orbital - and do so very carefully.

If she is having that much trouble parking correctly, one cheap fix is to park the car correctly and center a tennis ball on a string from the ceiling to where it just touches the windshield where the rear view mirror attaches (or directly in front of her). When she pulls in as soon as the windshield touches the tennis ball...done!

Something like this may also help...
http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/fe...ector-one.html

dadaroo

The mirror issue is called "floppy mirror" or "floppy ears". You can Google it and find it also adding C5 Corvette.

Here is a really good one with pictures.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...de-mirror.html

Mr. Sam

LoneStarFRC

This....

95wht6spd

Simply explain the situation to your GF, that she will have to park outside. I am sure she will understand, I mean it is a Corvette.

PS: make sure you video it when you explain to her, then post on here.

mstromquist

I've been folding mine in for 8 years now. Hasn't caused one issue yet and it feels just as tight as the day I brought it home.

JR-01

You are lucky. How will you feel about it when one day you end up with the floppy mirror?

Sydwayz

Oh, I can already tell you how that one is going to go.
She owns the house & attached garage.


I own the 30x60 Toy Box in the 'back 40'.

Right now, her 'toy' Bug lives in the barn with the boats and my dually.
If I open my mouth one more time about the attached garage, my Vette will be getting demoted to the barn; and her Bug will be in the house. (The black Cigarette is not mine, was boatsitting it for a while. I sold the jet boat so there is a little more room now.)

Sydwayz

Pic challenge:
See if you can the Corvette related item in my barn picture.

95wht6spd

Mercury racing (Mercruiser), LT5 development?

JR-01

There is an C5 EBCM in that box in the boat.

MikeG37

A roof panel wrapped up hanging on the wall